COLLECT.--O God, our refuge and our strength, who art the Author
of all godliness, be ready to hear the devout prayers of the Church, and grant
that what we ask faithfully we may obtain effectually. Thorugh our Lord Jesus
Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy
Ghost . . .

EPISTLE ¤ Philippians 1. 6-11
Lesson from the Epistle of Blessed Paul the Apostle to the Philippians.

[Let us be sincere and without offense unto the day of
Christ; "filled with the fruit of justice through Jesus Christ."]

Brethren, We are confident in the Lord Jesus,
that He who hath begun a good work in you, will perfect it unto the day of
Christ Jesus. As it is meet for me to think this for you all, for that I have
you in my heart, and that in my bands, and in the defense and confirmation of
the Gospel, you are all partakers of my joy. For God is my witness, how I long
after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. And this I pray, that your charity
may more and more abound in knowledge and in all understanding; that you may
approve the better things; that you may be sincere and without offense unto the
day of Christ: filled with the fruit of justice, through Jesus Christ unto the
glory and praise of God.

Behold how good and how pleasant it is for
brethren to dwell together in unity. V.: It is like the precious ointment on
the head, that ran down upon the beard, the beard of Aaron.
Alleluia, alleluia. V. (Ps. 113. 11). They that fear
the Lord, let them hope in Him; He is their helper and protector.
Alleluia.

GOSPEL ¤ Matt. 22. 15-21
 Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Matthew.

[Jesus confounds the Pharisees, His enemies, who more than
ever are compassing His ruin. His reply is full of divine
wisdom.]

At that time, the Pharisees went and consulted
among themselves, how to ensnare Jesus in His speech. And they sent to Him
their disciples, with the Herodians, saying: Master, we know that Thou art a
true speaker, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest Thou for any
man, for Thou dost not regard the person of men. Tell us therefore, what dost
Thou think? Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? But Jesus knowing
their wickedness, said: Why do you tempt Me, ye hypocrites? Show me the coin of
the tribute. And they offered Him a penny. And Jesus saith to them: Whose
image and superscription is this? They say to Him: Caesar's. The He saith to
them: Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the
things that are God's.

Remember me, O Lord, Thou who rulest above all
power; and give a well-ordered speech in my mouth, that my words may be pleasing
in the sight of the prince.

SECRET.--Grant unto us, O merciful God, that this saving oblation
may unceasingly free us from our own guilty deeds, and keep us from all things
that may hurt us. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and
reigneth . . .

It is truly meet and just, right and for our
salvation, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto
Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God; Who, together with Thine
only-begotten Son, and the Holy Ghost, art one God, one Lord: not in the oneness
of a single Person, but in the Trinity of one substance. For what we believe by
Thy revelation of Thy glory, the same do we believe of Thy Son, the same of the
Holy Ghost, without difference or separation. So that in confessing the true and
everlasting Godhead, distinction in persons, unity in essence, and equality in
majesty may be adored. Which the Angels and Archangels, the Cherubim also and
Seraphim do praise: who cease not daily to cry out, with one voice saying:

POSTCOMMUNION.--We have received, O Lord, the gifts of this
sacred Mystery, and humbly beseech Thee: that what Thou hast bidden us to do in
memory of Thee, may avail us as a help in our weakness. Who livesth and
reignest with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost.